The National Park Service has announced that, as of 12 noon 7/1/98, both Tioga Road (that portion of Highway 120 that crosses the Sierra Nevada inside Yosemite Park) and Glacier Point Road are open.
Tioga Road (120)
This year’s opening of Tioga Pass marks the latest opening in recent history. Despite diminishing snow levels, the road opening effort this year was hampered by persistent avalanche danger.
No drinking water, gasoline or food service will be available until water and wastewater systems can be put in service. Vault toilets will be temporarily installed for visitor use. Restrooms, drinking water and gasoline are available on the park’s west side at Crane Flat. Drinking water and gasoline will be available at the Tioga Pass Resort and in the Lee Vining area. Visitor information will be temporarily available at the Olmstead Point parking area.
Camping and overnight accommodations are still very limited in the park’s eastern reaches. Please click here to see the latest Yosemite Campground Update.
Glacier Point Road
Glacier Point Road is (as of 12 noon, 7/1/98) now open to vehicular traffic.
Other Mountain Passes Open
Cal Trans crews opened Sonora Pass (108) and Ebbetts Pass (4) on 5/22/98…just before the busy Memorial Day Weekend. Now that all passes are open, it means much easier access to highway 395 and the eastern Sierra including access to Lake Tahoe & Reno to the north and Bridgeport, Bodie, Mono Lake & Mammoth to the south. Similarly, residents and visitors east of the Sierra now have much easier access to Yosemite/Gold Country, the Central Valley and the Bay Area.
Other Important Notes:
Motorists should always carry chains during the fall, winter & spring. Cal Trans and the National Park Service also remind us: just because mountain passes open doesn’t necessarily mean they will stay open constantly. Late or early season snow storms are not uncommon in the higher elevations and they may result in temporary closures. Our best advice: always carry chains, extra food & water, warm blankets & clothing…just in case.